In the past, geographic boundaries strictly framed a country. The internal affairs of one country, at that time, had little influence on other countries, even the neighboring ones. Therefore, incidents of food safety only affected and spread within one country, one city, one island or one village. However, with globalization, goods and products can almost flow freely between countries, regions, and continents. So the food safety problem is therefore no longer a national or regional issue, but rather a global one.

In 1997, Avian Influenza caused widespread panic in Hong Kong. It is said that the Avian Influenza originated from Shenzhen. At first, some chicks in Shenzhen's chicken farms died of H5N1, and the virus even infected human beings. The epidemic took a dramatic turn for the worse when six people suspected to have been infected with H5N1 died from the disease. This incited no small amount of resentment amongst some Hong Kong people who blamed the chicken farm staff on the mainland for the outbreak. The staff was accused of not thoroughly checking the health condition of the chicks under their care. It provoked Hong Kong people's anger towards chicken farm staff in Shenzhen, whose alleged negligence contributed to the later spread of Avian Influenza in Hong Kong.

The 2008 Chinese milk scandal was another food safety incident. It involved infant formula, and other food stuff adulterated with melamine. The incident almost caused a global panic, since the adulterated products were not only sold in the mainland, but also exported to overseas markets, including Hong Kong. Again, some Hong Kong citizens put the blame on the mainland authorities concerned. The melamine-tainted milk products eventually affected people all over the world.

Thus, whenever the subject of "adulterated food" crops up, many people would immediately associate it with the Chinese mainland. But the recent scare over foods adulterated with industrial plasticizer may break this unfortunate stereotype. Recently, this harmful chemical has been detected in some beverages produced in Taiwan, causing health concerns among consumers in regions where Taiwanese beverages are quite popular. This occurred despite the fact that Taiwan boasts one of the most stringent food safety regimens. The plasticizer has since been detected in some Hong Kong food and medicines as well.

Worse still, in Germany, people have been warned not to eat cucumbers until tests can identify the source of a deadly E. coli outbreak. This outbreak is particularly nasty as young women have been struck down, suffering from symptoms including stomach cramps and severe diarrhea. The scare has spread across Europe, with 16 people so far having been killed. In many people's minds, European countries have the strictest standards and checking procedures on their food safety. But the E. coli cucumber incident brought home the reality that it was not an effective defense against such an outbreak.

These diverse food safety issues from various parts of the world are ample evidence that food safety is not an endemic Chinese problem. In fact, food safety is not even directly related to the development level of a place, thanks, no doubt, to the connectivity of our age. If we do not maintain our vigilance, people's confidence in food safety can be shattered instantly - even in a developed country.

The author is former secretary for home affairs of the Hong Kong SAR government.

(HK Edition 06/15/2011 page3)